Press Releases

2010 Industry Awards & Annual Meeting

11/17/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact information:
Rauni Kew 207-602-8500 kewr@glance.net Greg Dugal, Executive Director
Maine Innkeepers Association
(207) 865-6100
MAINE INNKEEPERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2010 AWARDS & CELEBRATES 89TH ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE AT THE CLIFF HOUSE RESORT & SPA
Freeport, ME – November 18, 2010 – The Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA) honored industry members at the 89th Annual Meeting and Conference held at the Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit on November 8, 2010. Annual hospitality awards were presented to recognize individual industry accomplishments at the two day educational conference.
“Each award winner has greatly contributed to both their community and their industry. The Maine Innkeepers Association is pleased to recognize the outstanding achievements of five members of the hospitality industry for 2010,” stated MEIA Executive Director Greg Dugal.
• The Innkeeper of the Year Award, presented to Cornelius “Connie” Russell, General Manager at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, recognizes an active lodging operator who has contributed significant time and effort toward the improvement of the Association. Russell served as both MEIA board member and President. He became General Manager of the Samoset Resort in 1999 where he has overseen several capital improvements. Russell has served as Past President of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, State Vice President of the New England Inns and Resorts Association, Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Rockland Rotary Club.
• Community Service Award, presented to Carla and Danny Lafayette of Lafayette Hotels in Bangor, recognizes active lodging members who have contributed to their community. Industry leaders, with over 27 hotels, the Lafayettes have consistently and generously contributed to the community, recently pledging two million dollars for the new Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer.
• The Special Service Award, presented to Richard Lindgren of Habitat for Humanity in Greater Portland, recognizes contributions made to the improvement of the lodging/hospitality/tourism industry as a whole. Lindgren was instrumental in launching the MEIA Hospitality for Habitat program. Prior to Habitat, Lindgren worked with Catholic Charities, then later the Shalom House in Portland, helping to create support systems for people with mental disabilities.
• Allied Member of the Year Award, presented to David Boggs, President/CEO of Acro Global, recognizes an active allied member who has made a significant contribution on behalf of the supplier community. Boggs has generously supported the Maine Innkeepers with strategies and insight for the association’s web presence.
About the Maine Innkeepers Association
The Maine Innkeepers Association, a leading provider of tourism information to both Maine’s lodging industry and its visitors, represents nearly 700 B&Bs, camps, cottages, hotels, inns, motels and resorts across Maine, and their suppliers. Through communication, education, promotion and government affairs, the Association helps its members achieve prosperity and deliver a quality product to the consumer. Maine Innkeepers Association is located in Freeport, ME and can also be found at www.maineinns.com.
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